A Little Bull Session With Grady

Red Sox Notebook

April 02, 2003|By DAVID HEUSCHKEL; Courant Staff Writer

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Maybe it had something to do with the 20-ounce cup of coffee on his desk instead of the Diet Dr. Pepper that Grady Little drank 24 hours earlier that seemed to make the Red Sox manager more relaxed Tuesday as he talked about his bullpen before the game Tuesday.

The Opening Day results were disastrous. Two of the closer-by-committee relievers failed to protect a three-run lead in the ninth as the Devil Rays rallied for a 6-4 victory.

Little was questioned for not letting Ramiro Mendoza start the ninth after he retired the side in order on nine pitches in the eighth to keep it 4-1. Little brought in lefthander Alan Embree because the first three batters due for the Devil Rays in the ninth batted left.

Yet the first batter, Travis Lee, had a career .190 average (4-for-21) against Mendoza. Lee, who was 1-for-3 against Embree, singled, prompting Little to get Chad Fox up in the bullpen. Embree, who couldn't help but notice, has said whatever reliever is brought on to close shouldn't have to look over his shoulder.

``It won't be a factor if somebody is looking over their shoulder if they go out and do their job,'' Little said. ``If we feel like they need some help, we'll give them some help.''

Little, who said he might do it the same way the next time, said hunches could factor in with statistical matchups.

``It factors in a considerable amount with all the facts and figures that we have accumulated,'' Little said. ``And I'll make the decision factoring in the human elements in the fact that the humans have to make the pitch.''

As far as making decisions, Little said he could not put a percentage on what takes precedent.

``These guys are major league relief pitchers,'' Little said. ``They've learned a lot in their past and they know every time they go out there they're not going to get the best results. But they also know they need to rebound quickly and be ready for the next time. Because there will be a next time.''

Cloninger has taken an indefinite leave of absence so he can begin treatment on bladder cancer.

Talks are expected to resume later this week.

``If we have something to announce one way or the other we will,'' Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein said. ``Until then we really shouldn't comment on it.'' ... Derek Lowe, who starts tonight, is 5-2 with a 1.90 ERA against the Devil Rays. He faced them five times last season and was 3-0, 1.70 -- including a no-hitter April 27 at Fenway Park.